Northwest Region
Get your license ONLINE – 2018 Fishing License go on sale December 1st: gonefishingpa.com/
REMINDER – Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear began on November 1, 2017 and runs through April 30, 2018.
Learn more here: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/MandatoryPFD.aspx
REMINDER The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly across the lake. Use caution as you head out onto the ice. A life jacket and a set of ice awls can be extremely important if you fall though the ice. Remember SAFETY FIRST: fishandboat.com/Boat/WaterandIceSafetY
Butler County
Lake Arthur
Anglers are catching Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and crappie by jigging along submerged roadbeds and railroad ballasts.
Harbor Acres Lake
Anglers are catching trout and Largemouth Bass using minnows off the bottom.
Glade Run Lake
Ice fishing is permitted at Glade Run Lake. Anglers are catching legal-sized trout with the appropriate trout/salmon permit through the remainder of the season. All warm-water fish species must be immediately released unharmed. Review all regulatory signs posted at the lake before recreating.
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Ice anglers are catching nice Yellow Perch, Bluegill, crappies, and some Largemouth Bass.
Allegheny River (Emlenton to Lock #9)
The PFBC’s Parker City and Brady’s Bend Access areas are currently closed due to being covered in river ice from the ice jams & flooding that recently occurred there.
Forest County
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River in Tionesta is accessible by boat. The Sand and Gravel Launch is not plowed, however it is possible to launch a boat with a four-wheel drive. Anglers have been successful fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike and Muskellunge.
Tionesta Outflow
Open water has provided anglers with the opportunity to fish from the wall for Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Muskellunge. Anglers must have a trout permit to fish in the Tionesta Outflow, regardless of fishing for or keeping trout.
Tionesta Lake
Some successful anglers are ice fishing for Muskellunge. Most are using tip-ups rigged with big shiners.
Beaver Meadows Lake
Beaver Meadows Lake provides some great opportunities for catching Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and crappie.
Mercer County
Lake Wilhelm
Anglers are catching crappies and other panfish near launch 2.
Northeasatern Region
Carbon County
Mauch Chunk Lake
Ice anglers on Mauch Chunk Lake have been catching nice size perch measuring between 12 to 13 inches, nice size bluegills and crappie during the weekend. They were all caught while jigging a jig head tipped with waxworms in 11 to 12 feet of water. Ice anglers were also observed catching pickerel and bass using live minnows. However, most of the pickerel and bass were less than the minimum size requirements. Most of the ice fishing action is occurring off boat launch b of the lake
Beltzville Lake
Ice anglers fishing Beltzville Lake near the Preachers Camp access reported catching panfish, bass and a few pickerel.
Pohopoco Creek
Although, little to no fishing activity is occurring on most of the district’s stocked trout stocked waters, anglers fishing the Pohopoco Creek are reporting catching trout. Anglers are reminded that the Pohopoco Creek from the outlet of Beltzville Lake downstream approximately 2.90 miles to the cable across from the creek at the Hideaway Hunting & Fishing Club is designated as a Class A Wild Trout Water and is a No Harvest-Catch and Immediate Release of Trout Only during the extended trout season.
Monroe County
Private community lakes ice anglers out this past weekend. Catches were modest. Mealworms seemed to be the bait catching the most fish and bites.
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
The ice in the district is still very good on most of the ponds and lakes. The rivers have broken up due to the warmer weather he had in late January. The fishing on Lake Wallenpaupack is still doing very well for pickerel, perch and other panfish. The bass and trout are slow to catch. Lake Shohola is doing well with pickerel and bass. Lake Greeley is doing well with panfish and some smaller bass. The Lackawaxen River still has plenty of trout is you choose to fish open water, but be careful of the strong currents and cold water temps. As always stated in the reports, please check ice conditions prior to venturing out on the ice. Be smart and safe.
Fishing activity in Southern Wayne County has been sporadic, anglers have been having a tough time as of late catching anything of size, smaller panfish have been the staple.
Northcentral Region
Get your 1, 3, 5 OR 10 YEAR FISHING LICENSE ONLINE NOW – gonefishingpa.com/
ICE is NICE! Learn more about ice fishing SAFETY and ice FISHING here – fishandboat.com/Fish/Fishing/Pages/IceWinterFishing.aspx
Learn more here: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/MandatoryPFD.aspx
NOTE: PA Fish and Boat Commission does not monitor ice thickness. Make sure you test ice conditions prior to venturing out to ice fish and be sure to take safety precautions (e.g. wear a float jacket or life jacket).
Potter County
It has been a great winter for ice anglers! Despite temperature fluctuations and periodic rain, the ice remains fishable on most lakes.
Lyman Lake
Anglers are catching panfish, bass and trout using a variety of tactics (e.g. jigging, minnows, spoons, and a variety of baits).
Anglers fishing for wild trout are also having luck! Nymphing and streamer fishing is working well during sunny days.
Tioga County
Ice conditions vary from lake to lake, but the majority of the lakes have ice with a covering of snow.
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegills and Yellow Perch. The stump area continues to be the most popular area to fish. Yellow Perch and Crappie are being caught near the dam too. Many of the Bluegills are in shallow water, tight to the weeds.
Silver, gold, chartreuse and glow jigs are working.
Anglers are catching bass and pickerel using shiners and fatheads. A few nice size Yellow Perch are being caught using tipups with shiners.
Hamilton Lake
Anglers are catching trout and a variety of panfish. Areas near the dam continue to be the most popular areas to fish. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and trout near the boat ramps. Blue, chartreuse, orange and pink jigs are working best. Blue/nickel and blue hali jigs are also working well. All jigs, tipped with waxworms, mousees or spikes are working.
Live minnows are working for trout, but most are being caught using jigs with waxworms.
SAFETY NOTE – Tioga and Cowanesque Lake
Anglers need to be very careful around the bridge areas. Cinders/rocks plowed off the roads are mixing into the ice and are VERY damaging to auger blades.
Lycoming County
Rose Valley Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegills, Yellow Perch and Walleye using a variety of techniques.
REMINDER – Ice conditions are not monitored.
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, Crappie, and bass. Small jigs, tipped with waxworms or maggots are working best.
Anglers are catching bass using small jigs, tipped with wax worms.
Colyer Lake
Anglers are catching bass using jigs tipped with wax worms/maggots.
REMINDER – Colyer Lake is currently being managed under Catch and Release regulations at this time.
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in the 40s. Water color is good with decent visibility.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. black zebra midge #18-22; walt’s worm #12-16; sow bug #14-16)
Anglers are continuing to catch trout using small streamer patterns in the colors olive or black. The bite is a little slow, but certainly worth it!
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperatures are in the upper 30s. The water is slightly above average and has good color.
Fish slow and deep in your favourite holes. Most trout are staying in deep pools, near structure (e.g. logs, rocks, undercut banks).
Anglers are catching trout using olive streamer patterns (size #6-10).
Nymphs are also working (e.g. iron lotus (#14-18); Frenchie (#14-16); goldbead pheasant tail (#12-18); prince (#12-16).
Southeastern Region
Bucks County
The ice is mostly gone for now, but trout season is approaching! Stocking schedules are posted; but remember, changes may be made when needed.
Ice fishing anglers were successful at Levittown Lake and Lake Luxembourg using mealworms and paste bait for trout. Pick up your copy of the 2018 Fishing Summary Guide and freshen up on the rules and regulations.
If you fish on the Delaware River and plan on using New Jersey ramps and facilities, visit http://www.eregulations.com/newjersey/fishing/freshwater/. Some rules and regulations may differ if you embark or disembark for the other side (New Jersey).
As a continued reminder, mandatory cold weather personal flotation device wear remains in effect. Visit our site at http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/WaterandIceSafety/Pages/default.aspx for more details.
S. Chester County
An angler reported catching an 8-pound Walleye while fishing at Struble Reservoir last week.
We need help to stock the Stocked Trout Waters in S. Chester County, which includes Beaver Creek, Buck Run, Brandywine West Branch, Pocopson Creek, Elk & Big Elk Creeks, Octoraro Creek East Branch (in-season only), and four sections of the White Clay Creek (including one Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Section that is also a Keystone Select Trout Waters). We had very little help last year on some of the stockings which made it difficult to distribute the fish. Stocking is a lot of fun and gives you a chance to give something back to the resource. Thanks in advance for your help!
If you live in Chester County, you are fortunate to be within easy driving distance of one the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters. The Middle Branch White Clay Creek which is managed as a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area is one of those Keystone Select Stocked Trout waters. This means that the state will stock the 1.7 mile stretch with 2 to 3-year-old fish, 14 to 20 inches in size at a rate of around 250 per mile. A ‘blue trout’ was stocked in this section recently. Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only regulations will be strictly enforced in this waterway. Do not try to carry in and conceal live baits, paste baits or other baits impregnated with fish scent. You can get more information on the web about both the regulations at http://www.fishandboat.com/fishpub/summary/delayedartificial.html
Lancaster County
The Fly Fishing Show returns to the Lancaster County Convention Center on Saturday, March 3 [9:00 a.m. – 5:30] and Sunday, March 4 [9:00 a.m.-4:30]. The PFBC will have an exhibit with complimentary publications. Additionally, PA Fishing Licenses will be available for purchase. The Lancaster County District Officer will be staffing the exhibit on both days and will be available to highlight local trout fishing opportunities, specifically on the County’s two Special Regulation Waters; Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only – West Branch Octoraro Creek and the Donegal Creek.
Again, this year the International Fly Fishing Film Festival will be screened on Saturday, March 3 at 6:00. For show ticket purchase and complete event information link to:http://flyfishingshow.com/lancaster-pa/
Lehigh County
Leaser Lake
Leaser Lake continues to receive a lot of ice fishing activity. Anglers report they are having success catching Muskies on jigging rods using medium sized shiners.
The PA Fish and Boat Commission does not monitor ice thickness. Prior to walking out on the ice take all safety precautions by testing the ice and wearing all safety equipment.
Please remember Leaser Lake is a Special Regulation waterway – All species; except for trout, are under a catch and release/no harvest policy. The use of gaffs, spears, and gigs to retrieve fish through the ice is prohibited.
Montgomery County
Fishing and boating activity was slow in the district throughout the month of January. With the cold winter weather, all boaters are reminded that the cold weather mandatory PFD wear period is in effect as of November 1 and remains in effect until April 30, 2018.
Schuylkill County
Locust Lake and Tuscarora Lake have had ice but are blanketed with snow. Only a few anglers have fished the lakes in recent weeks, but both lakes are good right now for trout and Yellow Perch with an occasional Chain Pickerel hitting on a live minnow.
The Schuylkill River has some ice, but it is very inconsistent and should be considered unsafe and is currently not accessible by boat.
A few anglers have ventured out on Deer Lake with moderate success catching Yellow Perch, crappies, and Chain Pickerel. Extreme caution should be used due to the creek channel and heavy waterfowl use which causes open water.
Most of the streams, including the Little Schuylkill River, have been tough to fish but still hold trout. Anglers should be aware of the stream classifications where they are fishing because on March 1 all waters designated as Stocked Trout Waters will again be closed to fishing until the opening day of Trout Season.